Manipur Violence: Suspected militants kill three church leaders in Kangpokpi - 'cold-blooded murder'

Manipur Violence: Suspected militants shot three church leaders dead and injured four others in Kangpokpi district, while a civilian was gunned down and his wife wounded in Noney district of Manipur officials said on 13 May.The Kangpokpi incident happened in the morning hours of 13 May at a place between Kotzim and Kotlen villages when members of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) were returning from Churachandpur after attending a religious congregation, news agency PTI said.The second incident occurred at a place between Jouzangtek and Nungsai villages in Noney district around 8 pm.After the Kangpokpi ambush, Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh said that such "senseless acts of violence" against innocent civilians threaten peace in Manipur which has been rocked by ethnic violence since 2023.The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India expressed grief over the killing and appealed to all communities to shun violence and retaliation. In a statement, the CBCI said two vehicles carrying leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association (TBA) were ambushed between Kotzim and Kotlen villages on May 13, leaving several people dead and others injured.Shutdown in KangpokpiFollowing the killings, a total shutdown was imposed in Kangpokpi district where Kukis are in the majority. A forum of Naga legislators and a Kuki organisation also deplored the killings, while a Meitei group rejected allegations from some quarters that it was behind the ambush.Police said suspected militants ambushed the two vehicles in which the church leaders were travelling.Among those killed was Reverend V Sitlhour, a former general secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention. The other two deceased were identified as Reverend Kaigoulen and Pastor Paogoulen, they said.Chief Minister Khemchand Singh said three of those injured were admitted to the Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Imphal. He, along with Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, visited the injured in the hospital."The state government will bear all medical expenses for the injured, and I have directed the authorities to ensure they receive the highest standard of care," Singh said in a statement."This act of violence is deeply troubling and devastating not only for the families but for the entire state, as it disrupts our path to peace. Our state is gradually moving towards peace; therefore, actions that undermine this collective effort of our people to restore normalcy are unacceptable," he said.Stressing that there is no justification in any society for acts of terrorism, the CM said the people of the entire state stand together against such an act of terror."Our resolve to fight against terrorism is unshakable," he said and appealed to all sections of society to uphold peace, show restraint and refrain from emotional responses.Kangpokpi had witnessed violence in January last year when protest rally organised by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) turned violent after protesters allegedly attacked the office of the Superintendent of Police of the district. "Further, I urged people to immediately stop abductions, taking hostages, and intimidation on community lines. This can only aggravate the situation. I assure the people that we will use every resource of the state to bring the perpetrators and their handlers to justice," he said.Meghalaya, Mizoram CMs condemnChief ministers of Meghalaya and Mizoram condemned the killing terming the attack a "senseless act of violence" and calling for immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice.Mizoram's main opposition, the Mizo National Front (MNF), also deplored the killing in the neighbouring state's Kangpokpi district and demanded strict punishment for the culprits.Both Meghalaya and Mizoram are Christian-majority states in the Northeastern region.In a statement in Shillong, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, "The victims, who were respected members of the Kuki Baptist community and associated with the Mani